What are Volkswagen's D-segment cars?
3 Answers
Volkswagen's D-segment cars include the Phaeton. The Phaeton is a large luxury sedan equipped with various engines, such as a 3.0L naturally aspirated engine, a 3.6L naturally aspirated engine, a 4.2L naturally aspirated engine, and a 6.0L W12 engine. The 6.0L W12 engine, codenamed BDN, delivers a maximum power of 331 kW, a maximum torque of 560 Nm, with peak power achieved at 6,000 rpm and peak torque at 3,000 rpm. This engine is paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Volkswagen Phaeton has body dimensions of 5,179 mm in length, 1,903 mm in width, and 1,450 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,001 mm.
I recently helped a friend choose a car, and he prefers spacious D-class luxury sedans. When asked about options from Volkswagen, I could only mention their flagship model, the Phaeton, as a typical D-class car—huge in size with a wheelbase of nearly 3 meters, offering rock-solid stability. However, it was discontinued in 2016, which is a shame because the Phaeton featured a W12 engine and premium sound insulation, making the interior feel like a mobile living room. Currently, Volkswagen doesn’t have a direct new D-class model for sale; the Passat is considered a C-class, with decent space. If he truly wants a luxury feel, I’d suggest looking at the Audi A8 under the Volkswagen Group—similar in class but priced higher. The Phaeton was quite popular in Europe back in the day and had many loyal fans in the Chinese market, offering great prestige when driven. Volkswagen is now fully focused on promoting its ID series of electric vehicles, so perhaps they’ll introduce an electric version of a D-class luxury car in the future to fill the gap.
After years in the automotive industry, I know that D-segment cars are defined as large luxury sedans with a wheelbase exceeding 2800mm. The Volkswagen Phaeton is a true D-segment representative, which amazed the market with its W12 engine when launched in 2002, delivering a peak torque of 560 N·m and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of under 6 seconds. It also shared a platform with Bentley and featured interiors with genuine leather and solid wood, offering first-class comfort. Unfortunately, it was discontinued in 2016, with low sales being the main reason. Currently, Volkswagen doesn't have a direct successor; the ID.7 electric vehicle is medium-sized, falling into the C-segment. As the market shifts towards electrification, the legacy of the Phaeton is inherited by the ID series, but it lacks the luxury feel. If you're looking to buy a D-segment car, I would recommend test-driving the Audi A8 for its handling—it's a similar class but better suited to modern needs.
